About Windows Migration Assistant
Learn about how to use Windows Migration Assistant to migrate your files from a Windows PC to a Mac.
Use Windows Migration Assistant to migrate your files from your old Microsoft Windows-based PC to your Mac running OS X Mountain Lion or OS X Lion. Migration Assistant automatically transfers your contacts, calendars, and email accounts and more, and puts them in the appropriate applications.
How to migrate information from a PC to your Mac
What gets transferred, and to where?
Windows Migration copies this information from your Windows PC to your Mac:
Email, contacts, and calendar information
| From Windows XP (with SP3 or later) | From Windows Vista (with SP2 or later) | From Windows 7 (with SP1 or later) or Windows 8 | ||||||
| Outlook Express | Outlook | Windows Live Mail | Windows Mail | Outlook | Windows Live Mail | Windows Mail | Outlook | |
| IMAP email account info--to Mail app | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| POP email account and messages--to Mail app | Logged-in user | Logged-in user | ✓ | ✓ | Logged-in user | ✓ | ✓ | Logged-in user |
| Contacts information--to Contacts app (Mountain Lion) or to Address Book (Lion) | ✓ | Logged-in user | ✓ | Logged-in user | Logged-in user | |||
| Calendar information--to Calendar (Mountain Lion) or to iCal (Lion) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||||
| Exchange messages--to Mail app | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||||
Tip: "Logged-in user" means only the data belonging to the user account that you are logged in to Windows with is transferred. To transfer data from other user accounts, repeat this process while logged in to the other account(s). A new user account will be created in OS X each time you perform a migration.
Important: Windows "Mail app for Windows 8" is not supported. However earlier versions of Windows Mail running in Windows 8 are supported.
Note: You may have to manually quit an application in Windows 8 before using the Windows Migration Assistant. Follow these steps to quit an application in Windows 8:
- Use the Alt-Tab key combination to choose a running application.
- Press Alt-F4 on the keyboard to quit the application.
Bookmarks
- Bookmarks from Internet Explorer, Safari for Windows, and Firefox are transferred to Safari in OS X.
iTunes content
- Transferred to iTunes in OS X.
Image files
- Transferred your disk; these can be added to iPhoto.Note : After migrating, you should open iPhoto and let it search the disk for photos to import.
System settings
- Localization, locale, browser homepage, desktop picture (omitting standard Windows desktop pictures) are transferred to equivalent System Preferences settings in OS X.
Other files
- Files from each top-level folder in the logged-in user's home directory will be offered.
- Non-system files (items in \Windows, \Program Files), top-level folders on the user's Windows system disk, and top-level folders on other local disks attached to the Windows PC are also offered.
- Tip: You can uncheck (deselect) anything you do not want to transfer.
Before you begin the transfer process
- To avoid interrupting the migration process, disable automatic installation of updates in Windows.
- Disable any anti-virus software on the PC. Such software may incorrectly identify the Windows Migration Assistant process as suspicious and interfere with it.
- Disable any firewall software on the PC. Firewall software may block needed ports for Windows Migration Assistant to run.
- Run the check disk utility (such as chkdsk) on the PC to make sure it is free of any issues.
- Tip: Select Start > Run… type "cmd" and press Enter. Type "chkdsk" into the command window and press Enter. If the check disk utility reports that it "found problems", enter "chkdsk /F" press Enter. Press "Y" then restart the PC. Repeat this process until the check disk utility reports no issues. If an issue persists after a few repair cycles, you should get the PC serviced before migrating your data to the Mac.
- Make sure you know the name and password of an administrator account. The first account created on the Mac is an administrator account.
- Make sure that both the Windows PC and the Mac are on the same network, such as your home network. These are the preferred network connections, in order:
- Use a CAT6-certified Ethernet cable that is in good condition to connect the Ethernet port of the PC directly to the Ethernet port of the Mac or Ethernet adaptor (USB or Thunderbolt). You shouldn't use an Ethernet cable that has any kinks in it or is missing connector tabs.
- Use CAT6-certified Ethernet cables that are in good condition to connect the Mac and PC to your home network router/hub/switch. You shouldn't use an Ethernet cable that has any kinks in it or is missing connector tabs.
- For wireless, use the fastest wireless signal possible (802.11n 5Ghz). Try to have the PC, Mac, and the wireless access point all in the same room close to each other.
Notes
- This process will create a new user account on your Mac that contains the data migrated from the Windows PC. It will not merge the information with any existing user accounts on your Mac.
- This article only applies to migrating from a Windows-based PC to a Mac. For assistance with performing a migration from one Mac to another, please see How to use Migration Assistant to transfer files from another Mac.
- Windows-specific file types, such as .exe files, are not transferred.
- You will need to enter your password when you first use an account, such as when you use your transferred email account in the Mail application for the first time.
Install Windows Migration Assistant on the PC
- On the PC, download the Windows Migration Assistant installer from Apple Support Downloads.
- Install Windows Migration Assistant, then open it.
- Click "Continue" to proceed.
The Windows Migration Assistant will wait for you to open Migration Assistant or use the Setup Assistant. Click below for information about the option you want to use:
Transferring with the Setup Assistant that appears when your Mac starts up for the first time
In the Setup Assistant's "Transfer Information to This Mac" screen, select the "From a Windows PC" transfer option.
Select the source Windows PC then click "Continue" to proceed.
The Mac will display a passcode that should appear on the Windows PC.
The Windows PC will display the passcode from the Mac, then click "Continue" to proceed.
On the Mac, select the information to transfer from the Windows PC, then click "Transfer" (once the "Transfer" button is available) to begin the migration process.
On both the Windows PC and Mac you will see a progress bar, messaging about what is being migrated, and estimated time remaining until the process is completed.
After this, complete the OS X Setup Assistant process.
Once completed, you can log in to the new user account.
Note: At your first login on the Mac you will see your account name. Press the Return key and you'll be prompted to reset your password. See Choosing good passwords in OS X for information about how to choose a good password.
Use Migration Assistant after your Mac has started up
If you've already gone through the Setup Assistant process, you can use Migration Assistant at any time to transfer data from a PC to a new user account on your Mac.
- On the Mac, open the Migration Assistant located in the Utilities folder. To open it: In Finder, choose Go > Utilities, or press Shift–Command–U (⇧⌘U). Double-click Migration Assistant.
- Select the "From another Mac, PC, Time Machine backup, or other disk" option then click "Continue".
- When prompted, enter an administrator name and password.
- Select the "From another Mac or PC" migration method then click "Continue" to proceed.
- When prompted, click Continue to quit other applications. Other applications can't be open on the Mac during the migration process.
- Select the PC, then wait for the PC to show the passcode displayed on the Mac.
- On the PC, once you see the passcode displayed on the Mac, click "Continue" to proceed.
- The Mac will then begin to inspect your computer and build a list of information to migrate.
- Select the information you would like to migrate to the Mac, then click Continue to proceed.
On both the Windows PC and Mac you will see a progress bar, messaging of what is being migrated and estimated time remaining. Once completed, you can log into the user account created.
Note: At your first login on the Mac you will see your account name. Press the Return key and you'll be prompted to reset your password. See Choosing good passwords in OS X for information about how to choose a good password.
Important: Information about products not manufactured by Apple is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute Apple’s recommendation or endorsement. Please contact the vendor for additional information.
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Move your data to a new Mac
Migration Assistant transfers your accounts, documents, and settings from another computer to your Mac.
Migration Assistant transfers your accounts, documents, and settings from another computer to your Mac.
Migration Assistant and Setup Assistant
Setup Assistant opens the first time you start up a new Mac. It helps you enter your information about your network, and guides you through setting up a user account on your computer. Use it to transfer user accounts, settings, and documents from another computer to your Mac. If you don't use Setup Assistant to transfer information when you first set up your new Mac, you can do it later using Migration Assistant.
Migration Assistant in Mavericks and Yosemite can transfer information from other computers that have OS X Snow Leopard v10.6.8 or later installed. If you're migrating from a computer with an earlier version of OS X, update your older computer first, or manually copy your data from one computer to another.
If you're migrating from a Windows-based PC to a Mac, you can use the Windows Migration Assistant as part of this process.
Setup Assistant opens the first time you start up a new Mac. It helps you enter your information about your network, and guides you through setting up a user account on your computer. Use it to transfer user accounts, settings, and documents from another computer to your Mac. If you don't use Setup Assistant to transfer information when you first set up your new Mac, you can do it later using Migration Assistant.
Migration Assistant in Mavericks and Yosemite can transfer information from other computers that have OS X Snow Leopard v10.6.8 or later installed. If you're migrating from a computer with an earlier version of OS X, update your older computer first, or manually copy your data from one computer to another.
If you're migrating from a Windows-based PC to a Mac, you can use the Windows Migration Assistant as part of this process.
Before you begin
- If you're using a Mac notebook, make sure its power adapter is connected and plugged in.
- Use Software Update on both the source and destination computers to confirm that the latest updates are installed.
- On the source (original) Mac, make sure that you have updated your third-party software before migrating.
- On the source Mac, open System Preferences, click Sharing, then make sure you've entered a name in the Computer Name field.
- If you're using a Mac notebook, make sure its power adapter is connected and plugged in.
- Use Software Update on both the source and destination computers to confirm that the latest updates are installed.
- On the source (original) Mac, make sure that you have updated your third-party software before migrating.
- On the source Mac, open System Preferences, click Sharing, then make sure you've entered a name in the Computer Name field.
About FileVault
As part of setup or migration, you might be asked if you want to use FileVault. FileVault encrypts your startup drive. This helps to prevent others from viewing information stored on your computer without the right user name and password. If you change your mind after setup or migration, you can enable or disable FileVault from the Security & Privacy pane of System Preferences at any time.
As part of setup or migration, you might be asked if you want to use FileVault. FileVault encrypts your startup drive. This helps to prevent others from viewing information stored on your computer without the right user name and password. If you change your mind after setup or migration, you can enable or disable FileVault from the Security & Privacy pane of System Preferences at any time.
When two user accounts have the same name
If your new Mac already has a user account with the same name as one you're trying to transfer, Migration Assistant lets you decide what to do. You can either replace the existing user on your new Mac, or give the user you're migrating a new account name.
Selecting the option to replace an existing user overwrites that user's Home folder on your new Mac. This can be convenient if you just set up your new Mac using the same account name and of your important data is still on your original Mac. Don't select the option to replace the existing user unless you're certain you don't have any important files stored in this user's Home folder on your new Mac.
If your new Mac already has a user account with the same name as one you're trying to transfer, Migration Assistant lets you decide what to do. You can either replace the existing user on your new Mac, or give the user you're migrating a new account name.
Selecting the option to replace an existing user overwrites that user's Home folder on your new Mac. This can be convenient if you just set up your new Mac using the same account name and of your important data is still on your original Mac. Don't select the option to replace the existing user unless you're certain you don't have any important files stored in this user's Home folder on your new Mac.
If you aren't keeping your original computer
If you're migrating user accounts, music, documents, and other files from a computer you no longer plan to use, you might want to do these things:
- If the computer you're no longer using has content purchased from the iTunes Store, you should deauthorize it.
- If the Mac you're no longer using is signed into iCloud, turn off "Find My Mac" if it's on, and sign out of iCloud from the iCloud pane of System Preferences before selling or giving it away.
If you're migrating user accounts, music, documents, and other files from a computer you no longer plan to use, you might want to do these things:
- If the computer you're no longer using has content purchased from the iTunes Store, you should deauthorize it.
- If the Mac you're no longer using is signed into iCloud, turn off "Find My Mac" if it's on, and sign out of iCloud from the iCloud pane of System Preferences before selling or giving it away.
Choose a connection method
There are several ways to transfer information from one computer to another with Migration Assistant. Choose the one you want to use.
There are several ways to transfer information from one computer to another with Migration Assistant. Choose the one you want to use.
Wi-Fi or
Thunderbolt
Time Machine
From a WindowsMigrate using a Wi-Fi or Ethernet network connection
- Make sure both of the Macs you're using are connected to the same network, either wirelessly or using an Ethernet cable.
If your network connection is slow, you can connect a single Ethernet cable between your two computers at any time during migration to transfer information. Migration Assistant detects the new connection, and automatically switches to Ethernet without having to start your migration over again.
- On your new Mac, open Migration Assistant. You can find it by choosing Go > Utilities, or using Spotlight or Launchpad.
- Once the Migration Assistant window opens, click Continue.
- Enter an admin password when prompted, and click OK.
- On your older Mac, open Migration Assistant.
- Once the Migration Assistant window opens, select the option to migrate your data "To another Mac", and click Continue. Enter an admin password when prompted.
- Select the system that you want to migrate from, then click continue. The continue button will be unavailable (dimmed) until you select a source.
- If you see a security code appear, confirm the same security code is displayed on both of your computers. Then, click Continue on the source computer.
- You can customize the type of information that is migrated on the next screen. If you want to transfer only a portion of an account, deselect anything you don't want migrated. If there is more than one user on your original Mac, you can click the triangle next to a user's icon and deselect anything you don't want to migrate for specific users.
- After you click Continue, the Migration Assistant begins transferring files to your new Mac. The amount of time that it takes for migration to complete depends on the amount of data being copied, and the speed of the connection.
When migration finishes, the login window reappears. Log into the migrated account on your new Mac to see your files.
- Make sure both of the Macs you're using are connected to the same network, either wirelessly or using an Ethernet cable.
If your network connection is slow, you can connect a single Ethernet cable between your two computers at any time during migration to transfer information. Migration Assistant detects the new connection, and automatically switches to Ethernet without having to start your migration over again.
- On your new Mac, open Migration Assistant. You can find it by choosing Go > Utilities, or using Spotlight or Launchpad.
- Once the Migration Assistant window opens, click Continue.
- Enter an admin password when prompted, and click OK.
- On your older Mac, open Migration Assistant.
- Once the Migration Assistant window opens, select the option to migrate your data "To another Mac", and click Continue. Enter an admin password when prompted.
- Select the system that you want to migrate from, then click continue. The continue button will be unavailable (dimmed) until you select a source.
- If you see a security code appear, confirm the same security code is displayed on both of your computers. Then, click Continue on the source computer.
- You can customize the type of information that is migrated on the next screen. If you want to transfer only a portion of an account, deselect anything you don't want migrated. If there is more than one user on your original Mac, you can click the triangle next to a user's icon and deselect anything you don't want to migrate for specific users.
- After you click Continue, the Migration Assistant begins transferring files to your new Mac. The amount of time that it takes for migration to complete depends on the amount of data being copied, and the speed of the connection.
When migration finishes, the login window reappears. Log into the migrated account on your new Mac to see your files.
Migrate using a Thunderbolt or FireWire cable
You can transfer your data between two Macs using a Thunderbolt cable or FireWire cable.
- Connect your two Macs using either a Thunderbolt or FireWire cable.
- If the original Mac is started from OS X Mountain Lion or earlier, or if you're using a FireWire cable to migrate, restart the original computer and hold down the T key at startup to start it in Target Disk Mode.
- On your new Mac, open Migration Assistant. You can find it by choosing Go > Utilities, or using Spotlight or Launchpad.
- When your new Mac asks you for a migration method, select "From a Mac, Time Machine backup, or startup disk", and click Continue.
- Select the system that you want to migrate from, then click continue. The continue button is unavailable (dimmed) until you select a source.
- Confirm the same security code is displayed on both machines before clicking Continue on the source computer.
- You can customize the type of information that is migrated on the next screen. If you want to transfer only a portion of an account, deselect anything you don't want migrated. If there is more than one user on your original Mac, you can click the triangle next to a user's icon and deselect anything you don't want to migrate for specific users.
- After you click Continue, the Migration Assistant transfers your files to your new Mac. The amount of time that it takes for migration to complete depends on the amount of data being copied.
Once migration finishes, the login window reappears. Log into the migrated account on your new Mac to see your old files.
You can transfer your data between two Macs using a Thunderbolt cable or FireWire cable.
- Connect your two Macs using either a Thunderbolt or FireWire cable.
- If the original Mac is started from OS X Mountain Lion or earlier, or if you're using a FireWire cable to migrate, restart the original computer and hold down the T key at startup to start it in Target Disk Mode.
- On your new Mac, open Migration Assistant. You can find it by choosing Go > Utilities, or using Spotlight or Launchpad.
- When your new Mac asks you for a migration method, select "From a Mac, Time Machine backup, or startup disk", and click Continue.
- Select the system that you want to migrate from, then click continue. The continue button is unavailable (dimmed) until you select a source.
- Confirm the same security code is displayed on both machines before clicking Continue on the source computer.
- You can customize the type of information that is migrated on the next screen. If you want to transfer only a portion of an account, deselect anything you don't want migrated. If there is more than one user on your original Mac, you can click the triangle next to a user's icon and deselect anything you don't want to migrate for specific users.
- After you click Continue, the Migration Assistant transfers your files to your new Mac. The amount of time that it takes for migration to complete depends on the amount of data being copied.
Once migration finishes, the login window reappears. Log into the migrated account on your new Mac to see your old files.
Migrate from a Time Machine backup or external drive
Use these steps to migrate users, data, or other information from an existing Time Machine backup stored on a Time Capsule or external drive.
- If your Time Machine backup is on an external drive, connect the drive to your new Mac.
- On your new Mac, open Migration Assistant. You can find it by choosing Go > Utilities, or using Spotlight or Launchpad.
- Enter an admin password when prompted, and click OK.
- Select "From a Mac, Time Machine backup, or startup disk", then click Continue.
- Select the Drive, Time Machine backup, or Time Capsule volume you want to migrate from, then click Continue. The Continue button is unavailable (dimmed) until you select a source.
- If you're migrating from a Time Capsule, enter your Time Capsule password when prompted, then click Connect.
- Select the specific Time Machine backup you want to migrate from, then click Continue.
- You can customize the type of information that is migrated on the next screen. If you want to transfer only a portion of an account, deselect anything you don't want migrated. If there is more than one user on your original Mac, you can click the triangle next to a user's icon and deselect anything you don't want to migrate for specific users.
- After you click Continue, the Migration Assistant begins transferring files to Mac. The amount of time that it takes for migration to complete depends on the amount of data being copied, and the speed of the connection.
Once migration finishes, the login window reappears. Log into the migrated account on your new Mac to see your old files.
Use these steps to migrate users, data, or other information from an existing Time Machine backup stored on a Time Capsule or external drive.
- If your Time Machine backup is on an external drive, connect the drive to your new Mac.
- On your new Mac, open Migration Assistant. You can find it by choosing Go > Utilities, or using Spotlight or Launchpad.
- Enter an admin password when prompted, and click OK.
- Select "From a Mac, Time Machine backup, or startup disk", then click Continue.
- Select the Drive, Time Machine backup, or Time Capsule volume you want to migrate from, then click Continue. The Continue button is unavailable (dimmed) until you select a source.
- If you're migrating from a Time Capsule, enter your Time Capsule password when prompted, then click Connect.
- Select the specific Time Machine backup you want to migrate from, then click Continue.
- You can customize the type of information that is migrated on the next screen. If you want to transfer only a portion of an account, deselect anything you don't want migrated. If there is more than one user on your original Mac, you can click the triangle next to a user's icon and deselect anything you don't want to migrate for specific users.
- After you click Continue, the Migration Assistant begins transferring files to Mac. The amount of time that it takes for migration to complete depends on the amount of data being copied, and the speed of the connection.
Once migration finishes, the login window reappears. Log into the migrated account on your new Mac to see your old files.
Migrate from a Windows computer
You can also migrate data from a Windows computer to your Mac if your PC uses Windows XP SP2 or later.
- Download and install Windows Migration Assistant on your PC.
- Make sure your Macs are connected to the same network, either wirelessly, or using an Ethernet cable.
- On your PC, open Migration Assistant.
- On your Mac, open Migration Assistant. You can find it by choosing Go > Utilities, or using Spotlight or Launchpad.
- Follow the onscreen prompts to finish migration. See About Windows Migration Assistant for more information, including which files can be transferred and where you can find them on your Mac.
You can also migrate data from a Windows computer to your Mac if your PC uses Windows XP SP2 or later.
- Download and install Windows Migration Assistant on your PC.
- Make sure your Macs are connected to the same network, either wirelessly, or using an Ethernet cable.
- On your PC, open Migration Assistant.
- On your Mac, open Migration Assistant. You can find it by choosing Go > Utilities, or using Spotlight or Launchpad.
- Follow the onscreen prompts to finish migration. See About Windows Migration Assistant for more information, including which files can be transferred and where you can find them on your Mac.
Learn more
Migration Assistant tips and tricks
All Mac computers running Mac OS X v10.4.11 Tiger, Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard, or Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard can perform a system migration over the network. This gives you more choices and flexibility in migrating your applications and data.
This article has been archived and is no longer updated by Apple.
Network migration
For network migration, a direct, computer to computer migration via an Ethernet cable is the fastest option. For the best experience, be sure to attach your source and target computers to the wired network before you start the migration.
To perform a wired (or wireless) network migration, please ensure that the computer you want to migrate data from has the "DVD or CD Sharing Setup" software installed. The installer can be found on the Mac OS X Install DVD of the restore media that came with the computer, or you candownload it. The DVD or CD Sharing Setup software can be installed on Macs running either Mac OS X v10.4.11, v10.5.5, or later.
Wireless migration
If you don't have an Ethernet cable or a wired network, wireless migration can be used. For wireless migration, be sure to use the best wireless connection available. Before you begin, use the Signal Strength meter in the upper right corner of your screen to find the location with the strongest signal to your source computer. You may also want to eliminate potential sources of interference. Migration can take place over a 802.11g network, but for the best experience, use a faster 802.11n network.
Starting your migration
When you start up your computer and select From another Mac on the "Do You Already Own a Mac?" screen, you will be asked to choose a migration method in subsequent screens. Follow the onscreen instructions to set up different migration methods.
- To use network migration, you'll need to install the DVD or CD Sharing Setup software found on the Mac OS X Install DVD, onto the source computer to enable the connection. Be sure to also install the Migration and DVD/CD Sharing Update.
- Always ensure that the computer you are migrating from is updated with the latest releases of Apple Software. Determine if your computer is up-to-date by going to the Apple menu and selecting Software Update. Apply all the latest updates, including the Migration and DVD/CD Sharing Update, before you start your migration.
- If you choose not to migrate your applications and data right away, you can always migrate later using the Migration Assistant, located in Applications/Utilities.
- Avoid letting your source computer go to sleep while you are attempting to migrate.To prevent your source computer from going to sleep during the migration.
- Go to System Preferences on the source computer.
- Click Energy Saver then select Custom in Optimization.
- Adjust the slider for "Put the computer asleep when it is inactive for..." to Never.
Controlling what is migrated
With Migration Assistant you control the data that is migrated from another Macintosh computer. By clicking the triangle next to a user's name, you can select which User Accounts to migrate and choose which folders to migrate. You can also choose whether to migrate Applications, Network and Computer settings, or Volumes. Migrating only what you need can reduce the time it takes to complete your migration.
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